Great as a gift 🌸
Flame Violet
Episcia reptans · Gesneriaceae
How it looks
Flame Violet (Episcia) is a foliage plant with thick, serrated leaves vividly marked in dark green, purple, and silver. Five-petaled red or orange star-shaped flowers bloom in the leaf axils. The stems trail sideways, and it is grown as a hanging plant.
Flame Violet is listed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA. An occasional nibble is unlikely to cause any real trouble.
Guide for parents
If leaves or stems sit at a height your cat can reach, they may get chewed or snapped. If the same spot keeps turning up damaged, that may be a route your cat takes.
If the pot can be moved, shift it off that route; if the plant is in the ground, just pick up dropped or broken pieces whenever you notice them.
Details
- Scientific name
- Episcia reptans
- Common name
- Flame Violet
- Family
- Gesneriaceae
- Source
- ASPCA cats plant list
Also known as
Related plants
Same plant family· Gesneriaceae
Other safe flowers
Related guides

7 Cat-Safe Flowers to Give a Cat Owner
Want to give flowers to a friend or family member who has a cat? Here are 7 flowers that are both beautiful and safe for cats.

Why Cats Chew Plants, and How to Stop It
A cat chewing and tearing at plants isn't just mischief — there's an instinct behind it. Once you understand why, the ways to stop it follow naturally.
